The University of Michigan Wolverines have finally climbed to the peak of college football’s mountain after a magical 15-0 campaign, hoisting the national championship trophy on Monday night with a commanding 34-13 victory over the Washington Huskies.
In front of over 72,000 energetic fans at NRG Stadium in Houston, the Wolverines left no doubt who the best team in the land was this season. Michigan controlled the line of scrimmage from the opening whistle, imposing their will with a relentless rushing assault and suffocating defense that never allowed the touted Huskies to mount a real threat.
Behind over 300 yards on the ground, two rushing touchdowns from Blake Corum, and a pick six that slammed the door on any chances of a Washington comeback, the Wolverines completed their storybook journey through adversity, investigations, and fierce competition to capture the program’s first consensus national title since the shared championship with Nebraska in 1997.
For head coach Jim Harbaugh, the title represents sweet vindication after years of criticism for his inability to beat rival Ohio State or win the Big Ten. In his seventh season at the helm of his alma mater, Harbaugh finally led Michigan to those accomplishments, then guided them through a whirlwind season filled with obstacles to finish it with the ultimate prize.
For me personally, I can now sit at the big person’s table in the family,” an emotional Harbaugh stated, alluding to the championships won by his father and brother earlier in their esteemed coaching careers. “They won’t keep me over there on the little table anymore.”
Indeed, Harbaugh can now boast of the crowning achievement that had frustratingly eluded him since taking over in Ann Arbor. The 2022 Michigan squad will forever be remembered for their unbreakable bond and determination in the face of constant challenges that would have derailed less resilient groups.
The tumult surrounding the program began in the offseason, when the NCAA launched an investigation into recruiting violations committed by former staff member Connor Stalions, resulting in a three-game suspension for Harbaugh himself to start the season.
Later in the year, further allegations surfaced of a coordinated, technologically-advanced sign stealing scheme orchestrated by Stalions before his resignation in November. Harbaugh staunchly maintained the program’s innocence throughout the inquiries.
But the investigations took their toll, as Harbaugh earned another three-game ban in November from the Big Ten itself for apparently related violations of the conference’s sportsmanship policies.
Rather than fold under the immense outside pressure, Harbaugh galvanized his team to adopt an “us against the world” attitude. They embraced the adversity as fuel to their fire, using any doubt or criticism as motivation to prove they belonged among the elite.
“Our back’s been against the wall, but this team’s different,” explained defensive tackle Mason Graham, one of the captains of Michigan’s stifling defense.
That difference in competitive drive and resilience shone through brightly on the biggest stage Monday night. The Wolverines imposed their superiority on both sides of the ball, dominating up front and flustering Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies attack.
Michigan’s massive offensive line obliterated Washington’s defensive front, plowing massive holes for 247 yards before contact. Heisman candidate Blake Corum put his power on display, dragging would-be tacklers for extra yards every time he touched the ball. His physical 134 yard performance included two short rushing touchdowns that put Michigan firmly in control.
Dynamic backup Donovan Edwards exhibited his lightning quick acceleration in the open field, gashing the Huskies for an astounding 17.3 yards per carry. He finished with 104 yards on just six attempts, racing away from pursuit for long gains that demoralized Washington’s defense.
Together, Corum and Edwards accounted for four scores and 303 total rushing yards, more yardage than Washington’s eighth-ranked run defense had allowed to any team all season.
On the outside, quarterback J.J. McCarthy dutifully managed the game and avoided costly errors. He connected on enough short throws to keep drives moving, posting 175 yards and no turnovers on just 10 completions.
But the star of the night was Michigan’s smothering defense, which made Heisman runner-up Penix look ordinary for the first time all season. The secondary blanketed Washington’s elite receivers, while the pass rush relentlessly tormented Penix into quick throws and poor decisions.
The Harbaugh-led unit limited Penix to just 255 yards passing, by far his lowest output in 2022 against Power Five competition. Penix completed only 27 passes and tossed two critical interceptions. One of those turnovers was an 81-yard pick six by Mike Sainristil that crushed any chances of a Washington comeback.
“That was a spectacular game by our defense,” praised Harbaugh afterwards.
Unlike the previous year’s CFP semifinal loss to TCU, Harbaugh’s squad would not be denied this time on the big stage. The coach made it a mission to get his experienced team back to the playoff in 2023 for another shot at the title. Driven by last season’s disappointment, the Wolverines completed their redemption tour with authority.
“I knew the guys that were coming back,” said quarterback McCarthy. “I had this feeling that it was going to be where we are right now.”
Where Michigan stands now is on top of the college football world, back as national champions for the first time in over two decades. They embraced the program’s “Michigan vs. Everybody” mantra, battling omnipresent adversity and investigations to prove themselves against any challenger.
In the end, nobody could stop these determined Wolverines on their mission. For the Maize and Blue faithful, the title brings long-awaited validation. The program reclaims its rightful place among the elite. And new heroes like McCarthy and Corum now forever etch their names into school lore.
Stepping out from the jubilant locker room afterwards, McCarthy paused to reflect on the journey. As he exhaled deeply and the moment washed over him, the quarterback summed it up perfectly in just five simple words:
“Oh man, we did it.”
Yes, they did indeed do it, in spectacular fashion no less. The Michigan Wolverines stand alone atop the college football mountain after 15 long years. An unforgettable, magical season ends with the program’s most coveted prize finally back in hand.
